There are a couple things that haven’t gone to plan, namely research. It’s pretty difficult to find extremely extensive resources on a topic that is relatively new. Although urban design has been around for a long time, it’s only been relatively recently that progressive activists have started to work in the field, and that has made it difficult to find resources that go over the solutions that I’m looking for. However, I’ve still found great resources and I’ve done some fantastic research. I think right now I have a really solid concept of what the basics of urban design are and what the biggest problems are that face the field. I think where I really need to focus right now is researching history. I understand the concepts, but I think translating the different concepts and different facets of urban design to the history would be super fascinating, especially since that ‘s part of my bigger picture of the paper. The whole first part of my paper is about the history of urban design and the worse side of the urban design process, so I need to make sure I actually do the research I need to. Learning more about Robert Moses is necessary. I also have started writing my paper and it is super fascinating. I’m really enjoying writing. It’s definitely the first draft, and i’m going to need to do a lot more work and research especially when it comes to polishing the paper and making sure it flows (and citing, that’s super difficult) is going to be super difficult. 

It’s been super interesting learning about the history of urban design, especially when considering the ways in which it has been used as a tool of oppression throughout history, and learning how those tactics are still used is super fascinating while also depressing at the same time. I think understanding how urban design can be both a boon and a harm to equity and equality is a super interesting aspect of the practice that will be super exciting to write about in my paper. I’m excited to work on the paper, although I’m a little worried that I won’t be ablt to finish it on time. I’m a little disappointed in the senior project process, as I’m not exactly sure what happens after May 15th (when the senior project ends technically), and that makes it difficult to properly plan out my days. I really enjoy farming, although I think I’ve reached the point where I understand what these urban farms do to these areas pretty well, and I can see what it means to the people, and I’m ready to move into that part of the paper, but I haven’t gotten to that part of the paper. I’m also a little worried about editing. I think my paper has a lot of great ideas, but making sure that they’re communicated properly is something I can see myself struggling with already. I hope I dedicate myself enough to actually completing this paper as the next few weeks come.